Northern samar: The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) highlighted Northern Samar's shift from addressing armed conflict to sustaining lasting peace. OPAPRU Eastern Visayas Program Manager Imelda Bonifacio cited the province's progress in addressing insurgency and improving socioeconomic conditions.
According to Philippines News Agency, Bonifacio said Northern Samar's gains demonstrate a shift from simply addressing armed struggle to sustaining peace through reconciliation, good governance, improved public services, and inclusive socioeconomic development. 'Peace has evolved. It is no longer about silencing gunfires. It is about civilian-led healing and delivering genuine socio-economic upliftment straight to our doorsteps,' she said during the National Peace Consciousness Month opening here on Tuesday.
Among the gains she cited was the declaration of 17 municipalities as having a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition, including all municipalities in the province's 1st District, as well as Laoang, San Roque, and Lapinig in the 2nd District. She also noted the decline in the province's family poverty rate to 12.5 percent, along with infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity and access to services in remote communities.
These include the PHP85 million Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) road project and the Catubig Bridge, which is expected to improve access among previously isolated communities. Bonifacio also said Northern Samar has been recognized as one of the country's Top 3 model provinces for implementing the Transformation Program.
The province is also set to host the first Kauswagan Peace and Development Center in Eastern Visayas, which will serve as a coordination hub for peace partners and help accelerate the delivery of services to peacebuilders and communities. OPAPRU is set to provide PHP6.37 million in support for its operations.
Governor Harris Ongchuan, who led the ceremonial ringing of the peace bell, called on the people of Northern Samar to protect the province's peace gains and sustain cooperation among government institutions and communities. 'The province's peace gains carry a greater responsibility for the government and residents to sustain an environment where families, businesses, and communities can thrive,' Ongchuan said.
The opening ceremony also featured the Pledge for Peace, participated in by provincial government officials and employees, along with representatives of the OPAPRU, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, and the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Activities for the month-long observance of Peace Month include a Serbisyo Fair for peacebuilders and former rebel organizations, the completion ceremony for the 11th batch of reintegrated former rebels, and the launch of the Kauswagan Peace and Development Center.
